Bibby Financial Services Ltd (BFS) - Experts & Thought Leaders

Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has bolstered its Marine Finance business with the appointment of an experienced front and back-office team, as it looks to grow its support for the maritime sector. First launching in 2023, BFS Marine Finance provides specialist financing and support to the sector across a wide range of vessel types, including wind farm service vessels, general purpose workboats, passenger vessels and ferries, survey vessels, tugs and barges, coastal ships, charter boats and hire boat fleets. Marine finance sector Managing Director of BFS Marine Finance, Paul Ratcliffe - who began his career at Bibby Line Group Since this time, Managing Director of BFS Marine Finance, Paul Ratcliffe - who began his career at Bibby Line Group and returned to the group after 35 years – has been joined by Marine Finance specialists Jason Crump and Ryan Baverstock, in addition to Chantelle Bradwell, Head of Sales Support, and Sales Support Specialists Debbie Weir, Colleen Dalais and April McGhee. Speaking of the appointments, Paul Ratcliffe, Managing Director, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to attract pioneering marine financing talent to join the business. Combined, we have over 80 years’ experience within the marine finance sector, so we have the depth of experience and knowledge required to support new and existing customers to grow and thrive.” Bibby Line Group’s heritage Supporting the new team are Richard Hargraves, Head of Portfolio Risk, Howard Quinlivan, Senior In-house Legal Counsel, and John Folan, Senior Credit Risk Underwriter. Derek Ryan, Managing Director for BFS UK, added: “BFS Marine Finance is an excellent example of how we are combining BFS’s financing specialism with the Bibby Line Group’s heritage to grow our support for businesses across all sectors of the economy. Paul and the team are in a fantastic position to be able to support those businesses looking to refinance existing assets or expand their fleets.” Net zero and UK shipping In June, BFS Marine Finance exhibited at the Seawork show in Southampton, where the team met with new and existing contacts. Paul Ratcliffe added: “While global shipping costs have stabilised to some extent, they remain high, and we’re committed to helping maritime businesses to operate more efficiently and ultimately to grow. Furthermore, with the recent publication of the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on Net zero and UK shipping - in line with Project Compass, our own group-wide promise to sustainability - we’re playing our part in the sector’s move towards the decarbonisation of assets.”

International SME financier, Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has appointed Paul Ratcliffe as Managing Director for its new Marine Finance business set to launch in 2023. Paul's experience  With 40 years of experience in the maritime and asset finance sectors, Paul began his career at BFS’s parent company, Bibby Line Group (Bibby), in 1980 when he joined his first ship, MV Dorsetshire. After gaining over four years of sea time, including as Third and Second Officer on a variety of Bibby's vessels, Paul joined the Bank of Scotland in 1987. In 2002, he set up the bank’s Asset Finance Marine business, as well as the Small Commercial Vessel division. In 2013 he joined Shawbrook Bank where he set up its Marine Finance business. Extensive knowledge Having spent the first part of my career at Bibby after joining over 40 years ago, this feels like coming home" Derek Ryan, Managing Director of Bibby Financial Services UK said, “We’re delighted to welcome Paul back to Bibby to drive forward our Marine Finance business. Paul’s deep-rooted and extensive knowledge of the marine sector gained over four decades is unrivaled, and we look forward to launching and growing the business with him at the helm.” Paul Ratcliffe, Managing Director of BFS Marine Finance commented, “Having spent the first part of my career at Bibby after joining over 40 years ago, this feels like coming home." Funding access "With global shipping costs high and the move towards decarbonation, businesses in the sector have a series of challenges to overcome." "Combining BFS’s financing specialism along with the Group’s shipping heritage will enable us to support those operating within the sector and help them to access the funding they need to grow and thrive.” 4.0 strategy A key part of our 4.0 strategy is expanding our product range so we can support a greater number of businesses" To support the development of BFS Marine Finance, Richard Hargraves, former Head of Risk at Siemens Financial Services, joins BFS as Head of Portfolio Risk. Experienced shipping sector solicitor advocate, Howard Quinlivan, has been appointed as Senior In-house Legal Counsel. Derek Ryan added, “A key part of our 4.0 strategy is expanding our product range so we can support a greater number of businesses. BFS Marine Finance does just this and complements our existing support across invoice finance, asset finance, and FX."  Recruitment  “Paul’s return 40 years after he first joined the Group reflects our ethos of embracing our past to shape our future." "Along with the appointments of Howard and Richard, we are now recruiting for other roles within BFS Marine Finance and look forward to successfully launching the business over the coming months.” Paul will join BFS on 1 February 2023.